By the time we had cleared customs and picked up all our gear it was about 11.30pm as we emerged from Vancouver airport. After a 5 and a half hour flight I wasn’t looking forward to an hour and a half drive in what was going to be a cramped mini-van, it was only once we had loaded the flightcases in to the truck that I realised it was going to be even more cramped then I had imagined…When we fly there are 11 of us: 5 band, 5 crew and a merchandise guy (Enter Jon Ludlow as USA Merchandising) anyway in the minivan that was supposed to transport us from airport to the venue there were only 9 seats. As I was explaining to the promoter that she would need to hire a cab to take the others into Chiliwack a very smartly dressed man appeared and explained in broken English that he could take us ‘cheaper than taxi’ it was then I noticed he was waving towards his vehicle, a stretch limo! I asked for volunteers to travel in the limo and before I knew it there were 6 people in the limo and 5 left in the van, It was only half a mile down the road that I looked around and noticed the 6 guys in the limo were the crew plus Jon L, we had managed to leave the band on the min-van whilst we travelled in style! Oops.
 When we made it to the venue the plan was we would set up through the night to be ready for a 9 O’clock gig the following morning, the D: crew never cease to amaze me, from somewhere they found the energy and we were set up, line checked and on our way to the hotel by 3.30.

The following morning we got to the venue in time for a 2 song sound check before doors opened and then off to the dressing room for breakfast. One of the jobs I have to make sure gets done is that the band mark-up their set lists before they get put out on stage, different band members write different things on their set lists, Stu G notes guitar changes whilst Tim writes down tempos and program numbers for the DoReMi, Paul writes notes to remind him how to play each song and Jon jots down which peddles he uses and when to use the drop D on his bass. Today Jon decided to mess with me, the only pen I had on me was a blue one, everyone else was happy to mark up with this but Jon flat out refused, he sent me back out to the stage, where my bag was, to fetch him a black pen. When I returned Jon had marked up his set list with the black pen he had in his pocket…

All that was left to do was rock out and the boys certainly did, playing a gig at 9 O’clock in the morning does feel a bit odd but Delirious never fail to deliver. One of the highlights of my job is getting to walk around different auditoriums just soaking up the atmosphere. Love will find a way is fast becoming my favourite song off of the new album and it was great to hear it played to these 6000 fans. Thank you for a great time Canada, we hope to be back soon.






















photograph by Ken Semenuk.

Bonjour...

Quebec welcomed us in style...don’t ya just love a french accent??
After the morning gig in Kansas we flew all day and arrived in Montreal and settled in to the hotel in time to go and find a bite to eat at a great little diner...lovely!

The usual morning run followed...well Jon and Martin run I kinda jog but it’s better than nothing I spose...
then band meetings about exciting stuff ....
Then the gig...once again great to get our teeth into a proper setlist 100mins and tons of new stuff...
What can I say...Evans is doing an incredible job really amazing!
I had great amps which is nice when they’re rented in...

The stars of the show this week have definitely been our crew! Working really late nights loading in for morning gigs!
Mark, Lee, Trev, Baz, Ed thanks! in true rock style...  we salute you!

Then once again on a plane to vancouver my alarm set so i can ring Karen as soon as we land cos it's her birthday today and our wedding anniversary! double whammy if i forget that :)

one more gig then home for a couple of weeks to start work converting my garage into a studio....yeah!!

Ahh....it’s Wednesday night...late....and so it must be Kansas City....so, here I come...

The anticipation of hanging out with friends (cos, friends are friends forever...)  I hadn’t seen in a while was quite something...but it was late...I arrived in the hotel (not in california, but Kansas City)...i dunno about 12 midnight..  1 am maybe...and promptly jumped on me ole mucker Martin Smith...he didn’t see me coming....(even though it wasn’t Saturday night, it was alright for fighting...) although, we only chatted til we knew that we were gonna be tired the next morning...then I get to see all the other boys...the d:boys...cos the boys are back in town..

Leaving is never easy I have found...never.  But the leaving is justified only by the reunions that must happen at some time...and it was great.  So great.

What was better way to start the day, but to have breakfast in America with my buddies..., then it was that we hung out with a few industry people...doing what you need to do to plan for the future...and it’s bright.  Then it was off to soundcheck...the part I love...the music. And there it was...new songs, from Kingdom of Comfort...awesome! I could hear coming from my mouth...so, since living in America, I haven’t used that over-used expression...but that’s what it was...Awesome. I missed seeing Smeezer behind the kit, but again, what a pleasant reunion with Evans...the new kid on the block and a fine drummer is he...

Meetings, chatting, sparkling mineral water...then the gig...I found a new friend in the tour manager Matt...no, sorry....Mark.... (always be Matt to me..) a formidable evening with Joyce Meyer and a house full of worshipers and people of all kinds...and my boys.  Ahh...it was great to see my boys..  And by the way...nothing seems to move me the way they do.  You can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave...and to be honest, it was more than a feeling...much more..they were smokin’...really hot...and even if the spirit of radio wasn’t there...The Spirit of God certainly was...it brought back old hemispheres....places where only moving pictures would have brought back more vivid memories....even where life in the fast lane, wasn’t fast enough.

Friday’s departure was something of a downer..leaving..on a jet plane..

Back to music city. It’s where I’m from. The home of the predators and the titans. Champion(s) of the world.

It wasn’t a dream. It was better than that.  It was So Great.

Today is my last show with the d:team. The band rocked their way through an immaculate hour’s set to 5000 fanatical French fans. They are playing so tight at the moment, and look so slick in their new shiny grey suits. It was also time for my first stage appearance when I had to say my goodbyes and give a hug to each band member. Its been a privilege to have worked for Furious Records for the last 10 years and basically my job spec has been to ensure that wherever delirious travel to in this big wide world, they have a mountain of product manufactured and shipped to their destination, and to arrange for a hyperactive person with a smiley face to sell it for them.


I have enjoyed myself. It’s been overall, an amazing experience. My previous job in London consisted of wining and dining Celebrities, MP’s, Royalty, and top business executives at the exclusive revolving restaurant in BT Tower. My brother (Martin) suggested 11 years ago that the band “delirious” needed a “merchandise manager” as the band was launching into the international scene of “Christian music”. This was an alien world to me, I had no idea that particularly in the USA it is “big business” and merchandise is an essential and beneficial part of the touring party. I thought it would be fun and life is too short to be serving celobrities in a penguin suit day and night, so my family upped sticks and moved to Littlehampton where the mighty Delirious have their HQ. It has proved to be a good decision. My family love it here on the South Coast and I have accumulated so many good memories as I’v toured with the guys around the World. Thanks boys for a journey of a lifetime. Your music and lyrics have challenged, inspired and encouraged me over the years especially Kingdom of Comfort which has a message and a reminder to us all that we cannot continue to ignore the social injustices affecting so many in this “big wide world”. Keep going guys; you have so much more to give.


So, its time to hand my blackberry and the safe keys back to the Office Manager at Furious!. I would value your support and prayers as I now make the transition into Compassionart.co.uk. I have been working for the charity for 1 day a week for the last year and now have the opportunity to go full time. It’s a huge role that will challenge and stretch me further to hopefully go some way to help the poor and to relieve the suffering of so many, so much so the next time you see me I may be 6ft 5”!

Much love,

Paul Smith

Last year we played this very same gig and still my ankle isn't completely right. I still remember the moment jumping off the stage and landing on my back, doing a 60 minute set with an ankle the size of a small football. Anyway, I avoided such antics tonight and concentrated on the music. We are proud to have Mr Paul Evans on the kit and the new songs are sounding fantastic. We played several new songs again tonight and the crowd were up for it, highlights were 'Stare the Monster Down' and 'How sweet the name' with 10000 hands in the air and lighters filling the English sky.

This weekend is all about 2 'Pauls' Enter Paul Evans, exit Paul Smith. My brother Paul has worked for the band for 10 years, doing all the merchandise but the time has come when he is moving on to other things and will head up the management of Compassionart.

Those of you who have ever come across Paul will have always been impressed with his gentle nature and servant heart, always willing to do anything for anyone at the drop of a hat.

Paul. We will miss you on the road greatly, you will always be our 'merchyqueen' Go and change the world bro.

MJS

Just finished my first Gig, Showered and ready to get on the bus!

if you don't know we played at the Grand in Clitheroe an old cinema converted into a community centre, it has a restaurant, recording studio and live venue and the most macintosh computers you will ever see unless you go to the apple store on regent street!

We played for about an hour and a half, a few old ones and a lot from the new album, people seemed to enjoy it and about half way through I relaxed and started to enjoy myself! there was a lot to remember! which songs do I start? is it two chorus' then finish? will I have time to remove my suit jacket before the next song?

I'm exhausted, I think Stew kept fit for a reason! Anyway, off to the tour bus........

Evans